as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
I have to psych myself up before every swimming competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in soul
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power
disturbing, enigmatic paintings that seem to embody the psyche of this brilliant but troubled artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mind
the part of a person that feels, thinks, perceives, wills, and especially reasons
a novel that explores the psyche of a depressed teen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of psych (up)
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Kurosawa’s films contain both the greatest vastness of nature and the deepest truth of the human psyche.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2025
Business classes in universities across the nation will ponder Taylor’s successful grip on our psyche.
—Misty L. Heggeness, Time, 17 Aug. 2025
The solipsism of low self-esteem is one of the wonders of the human psyche.
—Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Noun
These moments help rewire the emotional circuitry away from validation-seeking and back toward genuine connection, what the psyche is truly longing for beneath the performance.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Kurosawa’s films contain both the greatest vastness of nature and the deepest truth of the human psyche.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2025
Business classes in universities across the nation will ponder Taylor’s successful grip on our psyche.
—Misty L. Heggeness, Time, 17 Aug. 2025
The solipsism of low self-esteem is one of the wonders of the human psyche.
—Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (up)
Verb
-
Houston is bracing for the loss of Framber Valdez in free agency and has already lost three other starters — Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Brandon Walter — to elbow surgeries that will keep them out for some portion of next season.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Ravens Pro Bowl edge rusher Kyle Van Noy is bracing to potentially miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury suffered Sunday, per source.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Every taste was catered for, from traditional sounds of swing, latin and blues to contemporary soul and hip-hop.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
May God have mercy on your soul and watch over your precious family.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With these factors all in mind, clips from the Vegas opening are obviously being heavily scrutinized in Motley Crue fan forums.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Put yourself into unknown territory and open up your mind, spirit and vision.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Richer creams packed with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that fortify the skin’s barrier from the coming windchill and the telltale skin tightness from indoor heating take center stage on our top shelves.—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Just this past offseason Miami put an emphasis on fortifying the trenches, correcting a past wrong, adding players with size and girth on the offensive and defensive line via the NFL Draft.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli were joined in spirit by Carrie Ann Inaba, who missed the premiere due to illness.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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In the spirit of functionality and the chair’s utilitarian history, brass buckles secure both the leather back and seat.—
Elissa Suh,
Architectural Digest,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The post references Kennedy's previous disclosure of a brain worm.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Services cover conditions such as brain tumors, spine deformities, and chronic neck and back pain.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Nurabot, which took just 10 months to develop, has been undergoing testing at a hospital in Taiwan since April 2025 — and now, the company is readying the robot for commercial launch early next year.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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An update to Gmail begins rolling out soon, readying Google's premier email app for all your upcoming holiday purchases.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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During Tuesday's media availability, Swinney addressed concerns about Clemson's 1-2 start by pointing to the track record since he was named head coach in 2009.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Psych (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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